Is your place of business riddled with communication snags? Dead spots? Dropped calls? A location that is a trouble spot for communication can be both an inconvenience and a safety hazard. If yours is like most commercial businesses, then you can’t afford communication problems in your location. Harris Communications has been designing, installing and maintaining distributed antenna system (DAS) solutions for clients throughout the United States and Canada since 1990. How can a DAS solution from Harris Communications solve your communication problems?

Here is your guide to DAS Solutions:

DAS Design

Each commercial location has unique qualities and challenges that will affect the design of the DAS solution. Before creating a system for your location, your Harris Communications expert will need to perform a site survey. This will allow your surveyor to learn about the many location-specific factors that will influence your DAS solution. These factors include:

Size of the Space: The size of your space will help to determine the type of components, as well as the number of components necessary for your system. For example, a smaller space may allow for a passive DAS solution, which will use coax cabling to distribute the signals. A larger space will require an active DAS solution, which will incorporate fiber optic cabling and will also likely call for the power of a bidirectional amplifier.

Indoor and Outdoor Spaces: Indoor and outdoor spaces may require different treatments and different solutions. Does your space include indoor office space? Warehouse space? Underground basement levels? Outdoor decking? A semi-enclosed parking garage? In addition to indoor and outdoor spaces, your site surveyor will also consider public and private spaces, as they may have different communication needs. The qualities of each type of space will be considered when configuring the DAS solution for the entire location.

Building Materials: Different building materials have different effects on RF (radio frequency) signals. Whether your building is made of metal, masonry, or concrete, the materials of your building will be a determining factor for your DAS solution.

In addition to the qualities of the building and location, your Harris Communications expert will also take into account the human factors. Are there certain places that people spend more time or less time? Safety factors to be considered? What are your greatest needs and goals regarding communication? These will all be considered and will be determining factors when designing the DAS solution for your space.

DAS Installation and Equipment

Once your communications expert has designed a system for your location, the next step is a professional installation. Though your installation will be site specific, each DAS system will include some of the same basic components:

Donor Antenna: The donor antenna is placed in an area where it can readily receive RF signals from a cell tower or signal source, typically located outdoors and above the tree line to avoid interference. The donor antenna can receive multiple frequencies, which allows for emergency signals and large capacity system usage.

Bidirectional Amplifier: The bidirectional amplifier receives the signal from the donor antenna. Located in what is often referred to as the head-end equipment room, this important component relays and amplifies the RF signal so that the signal stays strong and reliable throughout the predetermined location. Depending on the size and characteristics of your location, your needs may be met by a repeater rather than an amplifier. The repeater relays, or repeats, the signal without amplifying. The right component for your DAS solution will be determined by your communications expert during the site survey.

Antenna Nodes: Placed throughout the site, the antenna nodes receive the RF signals from the bidirectional amplifier. The antenna nodes are considered the redistribution points of the system. These nodes are compact, and can be placed discretely and strategically to bring the RF signals to areas that they otherwise could not reach. The number of antenna nodes and their correct placement will be determined by your site survey, and will vary from system to system.

Coax and Fiber Optic Cable: Each component of the DAS solution is connected by cabling. Coax cable, which is less expensive, is used for smaller DAS solutions, often referred to as passive DAS solutions. A larger, more complex system, referred to as an active DAS solution, will use fiber optic cables. Fiber optic cable changes the RF signals too light for transport, and is more effective than coax cable in a building with large amounts of concrete, metal or masonry. These materials often present a challenge for signals traveling via the coax cable. In many cases, the best DAS solution will be a hybrid solution, which uses a combination of both coax and fiber optic cabling.

As you can see from the variation in components, placement, and appropriate cabling, the installation process is dependent on an expert site survey to determine the best DAS solution for each unique location.

There are many codes and regulations regarding communication signals, which vary from region to region and state to state. The installation team at Harris Communications is constantly apprised of existing codes and code changes throughout the United States and Canada. You can rest easy knowing that your installation will meet all legal requirements at the local, state and national level.

Monitoring Your DAS Solution

The communications industry is never stagnant. There is always an improved delivery method or a new technology being developed. Harris Communications stays ahead of the industry curve, as they research new technologies and methods in order to continue to provide top of the line systems to their clients. Harris Communications will continue to periodically monitor your system, keeping you up to date on your communication status, in compliance with any code changes, and offering technology innovations that may further enhance your system.

Repairing and Modifying Your DAS Solution

Is your business undergoing a renovation? Are you growing and acquiring new office space? Is there a large parking deck being constructed next to your building? As the commercial landscape changes, you may need to make changes to your DAS solution. Long after the initial installation is complete, Harris Communications will be there to make any modifications necessary to ensure that your DAS solution continues to be the best solution over time.

Though your system will be constructed from the most reliable, state-of-the-art communications equipment, sometimes system repairs are necessary. If so, then Harris Communications will send an expert to analyze the problem and replace or repair the system component, keeping your system in top operating condition. Harris Communications knows that the success of your business depends on your DAS solution working at all times, and will provide service and repairs in a timely manner to keep your communication flowing.

Turnkey Solutions

Though designing, installing, monitoring and repairing a DAS solution for your commercial location may sound like a daunting task, the experts at Harris Communications make it easy for you. You have a business to run and clients who need you, and you don’t have time to put business on hold to oversee the process of implementing a DAS solution. Harris Communications provides clients with turnkey solutions for their communication needs. Forming a relationship with Harris Communications allows you to have the best DAS solution to meet all of your communication needs, while you carry on with business as usual.

A DAS Company You Can Trust

Since 1990, our team of highly skilled designers, engineers, and installers have served clients throughout the United States. We offer premium products, such as signal boosters and cellular repeaters. Most importantly, we provide turnkey solutions for your wireless enhancement needs. Whether you need installation or distributed antenna systems monitoring services, we are here to serve your needs.